Even with a lack of rain during the growing season and excessive heat across all varieties, the initial harvest of Ontario potatoes looks better than expected. "We had a poor crop last year so this year's crop is better than last year. However, that doesn't mean that it is equivalent to the five-year average," says Quinton Woods of Gwillimdale Farms, which has farms in both Bradford, Ontario and New Liskeard in Northern Ontario.
© Gwillimdale Farms
The potato crop should go year-round until the new crop in 2026. "We started later this year so the potatoes could grow a bit more on all SKUs, colors and sizes," says Woods, noting that its varieties are transitioning away from Yukon golds in yellow potatoes and moving into different yellow varieties. That said, red and white are Gwillimdale's typical varieties that it grows.
Meanwhile, the quality of potatoes looks good. "The potatoes are clean and bright and we should have good quantities of B and Cs and 10 lb and 50 lbs., as well as very good supply on fingerlings," says Woods.
Demand anticipated to strengthen
As for demand, it's steady but could be better. "We're expecting decent demand going into Thanksgiving on cartons and premium product as market growers finish up. Then we will transition into U.S. Thanksgiving and Christmas," Woods says, noting that across the board, Canada's potato supply is down so demand should be strong heading into the storage season. 
© Gwillimdale Farms
Also helping demand for the grower-shipper is a new product of #2 white potatoes in 5 lb. poly bags.
As for pricing, while Gwillimdale Farms isn't in the market yet, pricing on small sizes look on par with last year's prices while larger sized potato pricing is better than last year.
For more information:
Quinton Woods
Gwillimdale Farms
Tel: +1 (905) 775-2889
www.gwillimdalefarms.com